Ai To'os

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Ai To'os in Hohulu , Ainaro

An Ai To'os (Ai-Toos) ( Tetum for "garden tree" or "arable tree") is a bare tree trunk that is set up as a protection symbol in East Timor . He should ask the ancestors for help so that the land remains fertile and the people are well.

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An ai to'os in front of a catholic chapel in Maubisse

The Ai To'os represents a combination of stone and wood ( tetum fatuk ho ai ), which symbolizes the union of the human world with nature. The tree trunk is set in the ground and framed by stone slabs. The stone platform ( Fatuk Bossok ) is an altar of traditional Timorian beliefs . As a rule, the Ai To'os has three arms that are stretched upwards.

The interpretations of the symbolism are complex. Sometimes it is associated with the fertility of the individual and society. The relationship between the trunk and its branches is equated , for example, with that between father and mother ( tetum Aman ho Inan ) and their children ( Anan ). Men in part of the ethnic groups of Timor traditionally remain within their tribe ( patrilineal ), but only marry women from outside ( exogamous ), so that all members can refer to a male lineage. They meet regularly at their place of origin ( fun ), which corresponds to the tribe. In ceremonies that serve the fertility of the land, wreaths are woven from corn plants to decorate the ai to'os.

According to another interpretation, the three arms symbolize the three legendary ancestors of the three ancient kingdoms of Timor (see history of East Timor ).

The Ai To'os can also symbolize a rope that, according to an early legend, connected the sun and earth and enabled communication between them. Still others see the Ai To'os as the residence of the ancestors, from where the descendants receive support.

Ceremonial setting up of an Ai To'os in the Jardim Farol in Dili

During the ceremonial setting up, the "Harii Hikas Ai To'os", an animal sacrifice is made. For example, a pig setting up an ai to'os in the state capital Dili , which is supposed to bring protection and prosperity to the government and the whole country. The ceremony was attended by village elders from every municipality in East Timor and the Prime Minister .

Ai To'os are still very important in East Timorese culture, although almost the entire population in the country is now Catholic. As a result, it is quite common to set up ai to'os in front of churches (for example in front of the church of Maubisse ) or chapels.

literature

  • In 2012, the East Timorese State Secretariat for Culture published a catalog showing a collection of pictures of At-To'os ( A collecção de ai-to'os , ISBN 978-989-8547-28-6 ).

Web links

Commons : Ai To'os  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Prime Minister of East Timor: IHA RITUAL HARII HIKAS AÍ-TOOS, XEFE GOVERNU HUSU JOVEN SIRA RESPEITA LISAN TIMOR , May 19, 2019 , accessed on May 29, 2019.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f Alberto Fidalgo Castro: As Uma Lulik de Ainaro , 2010 , accessed on May 30, 2019.
  3. ↑ Clifford Sather and James J. Fox (eds): Origins, Ancestry and Alliance: Explorations in Austronesian Ethnography , ANU E Press, 2006, chapter 7.
  4. ^ Jean A. Berlie: East Timor's Independence, Indonesia and ASEAN , p. 10, 2017, ISBN 978-3-319-62630-7 .
  5. ↑ Prime Minister of East Timor: PM-TMR Iha Serimonia Ritual Harii Hikas Ai-toos , May 19, 2019 , accessed on May 29, 2019.
  6. ↑ SEC lança catálogo “Colecção Ai-to'os” , April 12, 2012 , accessed on May 29, 2019.